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[Laughs] This is a present from me, to you.

Caleb Goldman before releasing Strength.[src]

Type-205, codenamed "Strength" (ストレングス, Sutorengusu?), was a masked, chainsaw-wielding behemoth. He is the fourth boss in The House of the Dead 2.

Created by Caleb Goldman to be a suicidal gladiator against his adversaries, Strength gave pursuit in the maze-like Colosseum. He could slash with his chainsaw, hurl the axes stuck in his flesh, and jump from high areas to crush his target. His weak point was his head.

Appearance

Strength is a massive, shirtless and muscular creature. Wearing a mask, he wields a chainsaw with the word "BLAME" etched on the blade. Axes are lodged in the creature's right shoulder and left thigh. His flesh is lacerated.

In combat, Strength pursues players for a chainsaw slash or axe throw. He may burst through or leap from atop walls to attack. Headshots damage and stun Strength; the creature defends his weak point by erratically swinging the chainsaw.

History

The House of the Dead 2

Strength was derived from geneticist Dr. Curien's mad research; after Curien's death in the 1998 Curien Mansion Incident, his financier Caleb Goldman developed Strength and other creatures for the next two years. Goldman released them in a large, unnamed city on February 26th, 2000, scheming to decimate humanity and preserve the life cycle.

AMS dispatched agents to investigate, including James Taylor and Gary Stewart. The two battled creatures and evacuated the populace. While navigating the city canals with partners Amy Crystal and Harry Harris, Goldman -- via phone message -- invited them to meet him at the Colosseum; despite fearing a trap, the agents agreed.

The four split up, with Amy and Harry entering the Colosseum directly; Strength captured them, injuring Harry. After losing contact, James and Gary fought to the Colosseum arena. On a large screen, Goldman mocked the agents before trapping them in a labyrinth. He released Strength from a cage with Amy and Harry inside. James and Gary eventually overcame the creature after a frantic battle. James and Gary then returned to the cage from where Strength had emerged and were reunited with Amy and Harry. Harry then gave James the keys to his car.

Goldman's final creation, the Emperor, could shape-shift into most of the game's bosses; among its transformations was Strength, who will attempt to slash the players.

The Pinball of the Dead

Strength is also the fourth boss in The Pinball of the Dead. Similar to his appearance in 2, Strength wields a chainsaw. During the battle, Strength will wildly swing its chainsaw as he moves around the screen, blocking the player's attack.

Gameplay

Overview

Strength is a fast, frantic, and highly dangerous adversary. The beast attacks with swift swipes of his chainsaw, surprise attacks (i.e leaping from the top of labyrinth walls or suddenly smashing them down from behind), or launching axes as projectiles. Because of his highly robust build and the low first-player perspective, hitting his weak point (his head) makes for a challenging boss fight.

The best tactic for this boss fight is to repeatedly shoot at Strength's head as he approaches, or when the creature raises his chainsaw for a swipe attack. Players must be quick at aim in order to successfully hit him. Always shoot his axe projectiles right away in order to not lose health, and also as an opportunity to quickly shoot his weak point when he stands at the end of the labyrinth.

Phases

  1. Strength will erratically chase the player down a series of hallways, swinging his chainsaw in attempt to hit the player(s). Once the players begin to successfully hit him, Strength will begin smashing down the walls for quick attempts. Shooting his head until he's at 1/2 health will end this phase.
  2. Strength will began throwing axes at the player. Shooting both of these successfully will promptly end this method of attack. He will start climbing the top of the walls and leaping down in an attempt to impale the player(s) with his chainsaw. The creature will also keep pursuing the player(s) down the halls. Shooting his head will result in his mask falling completely off, ending the second phase.
  3. With 1/3 health remaining, an enraged Strength will quicken his pace and hastily pursue the player(s). This is his most deadly attack, as he can reach the players at a much faster pace and take multiple successful swipes in a matter of seconds if the player(s) don't successfully shoot his weak point. He will rapidly swing his chainsaw around his head, making accuracy more difficult. However, if the consistency of the aiming of his weak point is maintained, Strength will eventually be defeated.

Strategies

  • Accuracy is key in Strength's boss fight. Hitting him in the wrong area or accidentally shooting the chainsaw guarding his head quickly gains Strength the upper-hand, and will often result in a successful attack on the player(s).
  • Waste no time in aiming for his head. Strength provides little cool-down during the fight, and must be quickly shot at in order to end his attack phases.

The Typing of the Dead

Strength's fight consists of him chasing the player, who must correctly type 4-5 long sentences in order to avoid damage. The completion of each long sentence will interrupt an attack. Typing all long sentences presented will deduct a third of Strength's health. Repeat this 3 times to defeat him.

During the fight, Strength will not throw axes, crash through walls, and ambush the player from jumping atop walls.

Strategies

  • Fast typing is crucial to avoiding damage in the fight. Thus, the player must be well versed with proper keyboard posture and key arrangements.

Trivia

  • Strength is series director Takashi Oda's favorite boss.[1]
  • A Strength action figure was designed by Hack B. Nimble and released by Palisades Toys in 2000 as part of a House of the Dead toy line.[2][3]
  • Strength appears in a flashback in The House of the Dead III along with the rest of the bosses.
  • The word "BLAME" is written on the blade of Strength's chainsaw. The same word can be seen on Max's dual chainsaws.
  • Unless one regards its use as an attack by the Emperor, Strength is the only boss in The House of the Dead 2 that does not appear twice besides the Magician and the Emperor, who serve as end-of-game bosses.
  • As Strength continues to be hit, his mask is slowly damaged, revealing a hideous face with bulging eyes and grey teeth.
  • The House of the Dead 4 also features a chainsaw-wielding boss similar to Strength, known as the Empress.
  • Strength bears some resemblance to the Brutus boss from Overkill.
  • Like Kuarl (Judgment), Strength can take a small amount of damage by hitting his legs, body, and hands. As a result these are not considered missed shots, and have a positive impact on the player's accuracy score.
  • Much like Temperance, Strength's characteristics in the series are quite the opposite of his namesake tarot card. The tarot card Strength represents a young woman using her calm attitude to tame a lion, while the boss monster is a vicious masculine brute.
  • In The Pinball of the Dead, there is a bug in which Strength may stand in the left corner. This prevents the pinball from coming out, forcing a restart.

Gallery

Wiki-wordmark To view the Strength gallery, click here.


References

  1. Kori (September 7, 2012). "Website of the Dead’s Exclusive Interview with Takashi Oda". The Website of the Dead. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. “My favorite boss is 'Strength' from The House of the Dead 2. I think we were able to express the fear of being chased and facing unpredictable attacks.”
  2. Kori (March 21, 2012). "The House of the Dead Action Figure Concepts". The Website of the Dead. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017.
  3. "The House of the Dead Action Figures". Sega Retro. Retrieved on July 7, 2020.
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